Griffins lose lead late, fall 3-2

Monday

ROSEMONT, Ill. – One night after scoring two goals in a shootout, the Grand Rapids Griffins came up empty in the breakaway contest losing to the Chicago Wolves 3-2 at Allstate Arena.

The Griffins (36-24-1-7) held a 2-1 lead heading into the final stretch of regulation when the Wolves (37-21-7-2) pulled Oscar Dansk from the net with 1:31 left. A flurry of shots from Chicago eventually netted a goal with 31 seconds to go to tie the game, 2-2, forcing overtime.

Two first period goals from Robbie Russo and Brian Lashoff built a cushion for the road team, but it was two third period goals from Teemu Pulkkinen and Zac Leslie that made the difference.

Grand Rapids is back in action on Wednesday against the Texas Stars from Van Andel Arena. The puck will drop at 7 p.m. EDT.

Russo put the Griffins on the board first with 3:45 left in the opening period. The Westmont, Illinois native skated into the Chicago zone untouched and took a wrist shot that dipped under Dansk’s glove for his 8th goal of the year.

With five seconds left in the first, Lashoff added his 4th goal of the season. Turner Elson skated up the right boards drawing the goalie’s attention when he made a quick centering pass to Lashoff who had an empty net for the 2-0 lead.

Neither team scored in the second frame, but each team had its chances. Philip Holm took a one-timer slap shot from the point that nearly caught Matej Machovsky off guard. The puck bounced off of his left shoulder before going into the right corner.

Later on, Filip Hronek hit the crossbar in what became a reviewable play. It was later determined to have not crossed the goal line.

Pulkkinen ended Machovsky’s shutout bid just 3:32 into the final stanza with his 22nd goal. After receiving a pass from Tomas Hyka in the neutral zone, the former Griffin skated between two defenders and into the Grand Rapids zone. A quick wrist shot from the right circle sailed into the net to cut the lead to one goal.

With 31 seconds remaining in regulation, Zac Leslie tied the game with a slap shot from the point. The defenseman sent a laser that flew over Machovsky’s glove to tie the game.

Grand Rapids outshot Chicago 4-1 in the extra frame before the shootout.

Brandon Pirri was the only player to score in the shootout to give the Wolves the 3-2 decision.